Political parties

Bulgarian Parliament's Defence Committee on July 17 approved the contracts with the United States for the purchase of the the F-16 fighter aircrafts with 13 votes in favour and 8 against, reports BNT. 

The decision was adopted with the votes of GERB, MRF and United Patriots without "Ataka". The opposition Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) and Volya voted against.

Greek lawmakers on Thursday approved with an overwhelming majority the appointment of Kostas Tasoulas as new Parliament president, in their first vote since the House convened after the July general elections.

The Social Democratic Party (PSD) leadership next Tuesday will meet at the Parliament Palace to decide the candidate for the presidential elections, to be later validated by the August 3 Congress of the party, political sources told AGERPRES.

National Liberal Party (PNL) Chairman Ludovic Orban said on Tuesday that "it would have been better" if the USR-PLUS Alliance [formed by USR - Save Romania Union, PLUS - Freedom, Unity and Solidarity Party] did not nominate a candidate for the presidential election, explaining that this splits the votes in the fight against the Social Democratic Party (PSD, major at rule).

"I'm not afraid, because I know I'm doing the right thing," she said. "What I often wonder about, though, is how people will react if they see I get attacked? Will people defend me?"

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu on July 16 slammed the European Council's decision to impose sanctions on Ankara over its drilling activities in the eastern Mediterranean.

The Social Democratic Party (PSD) will have its own candidate in the presidential elections this November, to be validated by the Congress on August 3, the party leader, Viorica Dancila, announced on Monday, at the end of the meeting of the National Executive Committee. "The PSD Congress that will validate the candidate for the presidential elections will be held on August 3.

The coup attempt on July 15, 2016 was "an open attack on our republic, democracy and historical gains," main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has said.

Senate President and Chairman of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats (ALDE, minor at rule, ed.n.) Calin Popescu-Tariceanu does not rule out the possibility of forming another electoral alliance if the Social Democratic Party (PSD, major at rule, ed.n.) and ALDE will not have a joint candidate in the presidential elections.

Interpreting New Democracy's victory as punishment for Syriza's failure to deliver on its anti-austerity promises, many correspondents were quick to draw lessons for anti-establishment populists of all persuasions.